Hey, Hey, They're The Monkeys

Entertainment

SANFORD - Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes something to make you scratch your head and ask, ``How'd they do that?''

Such is the case with Hall's Baboons, a traveling show in the middle of a monthlong stop at Fun World, the amusement park adjacent to Flea World on U.S. Highway 17-92.

During the short, circus-type show, spectators can watch the four performing monkeys do flips, jumps and balancing acts. But the star of the show, 26-year-old Tasha, brings crowds to their feet as she putters unassisted around the ring on a Suzuki motorcycle - sans training wheels.

The only help she receives is when her owner/trainer Ervin Hall kick-starts the small motorbike. Like an old pro, Tasha climbs aboard, grips the handlebars and rides around the ring.

Hall, 52, said it took only about an hour to teach Tasha the trick, but it took two years of training before she was ready to attempt such a feat. First, she had to learn basic commands such as ``sit,'' ``stay,'' ``don't touch'' and ``let me see what's in your mouth.'' Once she became accustomed to the routine of performing, Hall taught her to ride a bicycle. Then it was on to the motorbike, which she rides around the ring along a path that she must learn anew at each venue.

``Once I walk the pattern with her a few times, she knows where to ride,'' he said.

Though Tasha steers and balances the bike herself, the throttle is set to keep her from going too fast, a restriction that Hall said sometimes frustrates the monkey.

``If it doesn't go fast enough, she'll shake it,'' he said.

A lifelong performer, Hall began his show-business career at the tender age of 2, earning a spot in Ripley's Believe It or Not as the world's youngest unicycle rider. It was a natural course for the boy, whose father was a performer who shared his love for the big top with Hall and his three siblings.

Hall, who began working with baboons 36 years ago, crisscrosses the country with a troupe of seven of the monkeys. Today, said Hall, he and his sister operate two of the four baboon shows in the United States.

He said the baboons are extremely intelligent and require a lot of attention.

``Raising a baboon is like raising a very intelligent, hyperactive child,'' he said. ``They respond very well to love and affection.''

Throughout the show, Hall praises his stars and rewards them with candy canes after each trick. And as for kids, one piece of candy is never enough. Following the show, as Hall gave the audience an educational presentation, 25-year-old Laverne, who has retired from the show and now acts as a goodwill ambassador, searched his pockets for more of the sweets.

The show can be seen at Fun World each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31. Show times are at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Fun World offers a different free show each month. The Royal Lipizzan Stallions, known around the world for their beauty and style, will perform in November.

Fun World also features an amusement park with more than 50 rides and games, including bumper boats, go carts, miniature golf and pony rides, as well as more than 350 video games. The park is open each Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.